Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot

— I want the Gus Van Sant of “Milk,” “Finding Forrester,” “Good Will Hunting,” and “My Own Private Idaho” to show up a little more often. “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot” just doesn’t measure up. Joaquin Phoenix is a fine actor, but the film jumps around more than it needs to, maybe trying to keep us interested even though the film is mostly structured around AA’s 12 Steps. It's about John Callahan, an alcoholic who, at the age of 21, became a quadriplegic when a car driven by a drunk friend crashed, and the subsequent rebuilding of his life, becoming a successful but controversial cartoonist. From my perspective, too little time was spent on Callahan’s cartoons and way too much time, with very little humor, was spent on his road to sobriety. The story was originally one Robin Williams wanted to tell and I can’t help but think he would have infused the part with a less somber air. That said, it’s still a good film, something of a lauding of higher powers and counseling, but it’s not a great film. It does, however, stand out as having the worst part Rooney Mara should ever have, particularly unsettling for someone twice nominated for a Golden Globe and an Oscar.

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[2018. 114 min. Directed by Gus Van Sant. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara, and Jack Black]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/dont-worry-he-wont-get-far-on-foot-2018